(19)
(11) EP 0 788 294 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
07.01.1998 Bulletin 1998/02

(43) Date of publication A2:
06.08.1997 Bulletin 1997/32

(21) Application number: 97300169.6

(22) Date of filing: 13.01.1997
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: H05B 3/86
(84) Designated Contracting States:
BE CH DE ES FI FR GB IT LI LU SE

(30) Priority: 30.01.1996 GB 9601865

(71) Applicant: PILKINGTON UNITED KINGDOM LIMITED
St. Helens, Merseyside WA10 3TT (GB)

(72) Inventors:
  • Castle, Derek Charles
    Halesowen, West Midlands B63 1DQ (GB)
  • Chamberlain, Mark Andrew
    Birmingham, West Midlands B31 2JH (GB)

(74) Representative: Halliwell, Anthony Charles et al
Pilkington plc, Group Patents Department, Pilkington Technology Centre, Hall Lane, Lathom
Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 5UF
Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 5UF (GB)

   


(54) Electrically heated window


(57) A window (20,50) is provided which includes an array (21,51) of fine, closely spaced wires (22) through which electric current is passed to heat the window. Such windows are useful as vehicle windows, e.g. windscreens, because the heating disperses ice or condensation on the surface of the window, thereby improving visibility. According to the invention, at least some of the wires extend along diverging lines, so that the heated area extends over substantially the whole of the transparent portion (49) of the window. It is also described how to achieve a sufficiently uniform heating effect over the extended heated area. A method of manufacturing such windows, and an apparatus (90) for forming such arrays of wires, are also provided.






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